Guidelines for Reducing Liability Risk

Don’t offer opinions if someone ask what you think is wrong; you may be accused of making a medical diagnosis

Don’t make a statement that may be interpreted as an admission of fault or guilt

Don’t criticize health care providers or their actions

Maintain confidentiality

Maintain competence in your specialty area of practice

Attend relevant continuing education classes

Expand your knowledge and skills

Read professional literature

Know legal principles and incorporate them into everyday practice

Know your nursing practice act and other laws that affect nursing practice; function within those constraints

Follow established standards of practice

Keep up to date on your agency’s policies and procedures

Use the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Nurses to solve an ethical dilemma

Practice within the bounds of professional licensure

Perform only the skills allowed under your scope of practice and that you are competent to perform

Always document your actions as they apply to your practice setting

Know who to contact and what to do if licensed or unlicensed practitioners violate the nurse practice act. Remember, you have an obligation to uphold the state nurse practice act and to see that others likewise uphold the act

Delegate appropriately. You must consider the task being delegated, the patient and the person being delegated to. You can delegate a task but not nursing assessment or judgment